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Updated: May 6, 2025
By this time the fleet of boats was distinctly visible, making straight for the island. Edgar now ordered the sails to be set, and bade Dwarro take the helm. The pilot obeyed with the air of a Stoic. It was clear that his mind was made up. This had the effect of calling up a look of settled resolution on Edgar's face.
The diver opened Dwarro's pilot-coat, and found beneath it a brace of pistols and a long sheath knife, which he quietly removed and transferred to his own person. The other men in the boat looked on, meanwhile, in silence. "Dwarro," continued Edgar, "you have planned this, I know, but I'll thwart you. I won't tie or gag you. I'll make you sit at the helm and steer, while we evade your friends.
A flight of dilapidated steps led to this gate. "What if your friend should not be at home?" asked Joe, in a whisper. "I'll land the bags in any case and await him, while you return to the port with Dwarro," replied Edgar.
Now, Moses, this casket is worth a good round sum. Dwarro wisely took the trouble to make inquiries about it through one of the Chinamen, who happened to be an honest man and fortunately also very stupid.
Not long ago some Englishmen came out to Hong-Kong to dive to a vessel which had been wrecked on an island off the coast. My worthy agent there, Dwarro, cast his eyes on them and soon found out all about their plans. Dwarro is a very intelligent fellow. Like yourself, he has a good deal of the sneaking robber about him.
Dwarro looked so intensely absent and sleepy as he sat lounging in the bow, that the divers felt relieved and continued, though in more cautious tones, to discuss their plans. Meanwhile the boat ran into the Hong-Kong river. As it proceeded, a small light boat or skiff was observed approaching.
"It's all right," whispered Edgar, sitting down beside Joe, "Wilson is at home, and has undertaken to have the bags carried to a place of safety long before any attempt to capture them could be organised, even if Dwarro knew our secret and were disposed to attempt such a thing. Besides, we will keep him under our eyes to-night as long as possible."
He also made arrangements to have a fleet of my fellows ready, so that when more gold had been recovered from the wreck they might surround them on the spot and secure it. But the young Englishman at the head of the party was more than a match for us. He cowed Dwarro, and cleverly escaped to land.
The wind had not yet reached the island, but, even if it had, the divers would not have hoisted sail, lest they should have been seen. "Ship your oars now, lads, and pull for life," cried Edgar, seizing the tiller with one hand, while with the other he held the revolver. "You take this oar, Dwarro, and pull with a will."
Presently the breeze increased, and the pilot boat leaped over the waves as if it had received new life. "It's a bowld thing to try," muttered Rooney Machowl, "but I'm afeard, sir " He was silenced by a peremptory "Hush" from Edgar. "Get down so as to be out of sight," he continued, "all of you except the Chinamen. You two come and sit by Dwarro."
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